Gary McClendon, a former professional basketball player who played with the Harlem Magicians alongside the legendary Marcus Haynes, was born and raised in Chattanooga, TN. Gary has always given back to and is constantly looking for ways to give back to the community. Gary remembers when he played basketball with the Harlem Magicians and the smiles on the children’s faces when the team performed their basketball tricks and skits and he still remembers the first time he saw the Harlem Globetrotter’s perform when he was a child. Their performance had a lasting impression on him and later when he played with Marques Haynes, it was a dream come true for him.

When Gary saw the Harlem Globetrotter’s were coming to Chattanooga, he thought that’s the perfect event to for the children and their families who survived the recent Woodmore Elementary School bus crash. No matter what the circumstances for a brief period of time, watching the Harlem Globetrotters perform is bound to make you smile. Gary decided to purchase tickets to the game for the Woodmore Elementary children and other youth in the city. He discussed this idea with some local businesses and friends and the response has been more than amazing.